2 dead & 6 injured as teens take after hours sled ride down Winsport bobsleigh track

[Locke]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

where did you see/hear this?

I'm just rushing out of my office at the moment but go back through this thread it was a comment made on Reddit that was included in a CBC (?) article.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

I've seen someone on the track riding a skateboard. This was during broad daylight while a different event was going on. I wouldn't say it happens a lot, but also wouldn't say it's rare.

From the top? I mean, maybe from the Tourist start.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Not to detract from the tragedy of this, but I note that road was closed at the top of the hill when I tried to get my kid to the ice rink Sunday evening. Not sure if this is a permanent thing, but it did look like they had security hanging out in a truck as well.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Locke

From the top? I mean, maybe from the Tourist start.

It was near the top. I was taking photos of the event, and I thought I had a shot of the guy because I thought it was funny, but I can't find it right now. It was in summer and he wasn't going very fast.

[Inferno099]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Not to detract from the tragedy of this, but I note that road was closed at the top of the hill when I tried to get my kid to the ice rink Sunday evening. Not sure if this is a permanent thing, but it did look like they had security hanging out in a truck as well.

Looks like the hill road is closed indefinitely....
http://www.winsport.ca/aboutwinsport...a_closures.cfm

The message of the hill road being closed is still on their site.

[peter12]

Call me sympathetic but judgmental. I see the word "tragedy" being thrown around a lot, but that pins this event on something other than the kids' volition. This, in itself, is very dangerous.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ugh...I'd rather not think that.

Yeah...don't.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by peter12

Call me sympathetic but judgmental. I see the word "tragedy" being thrown around a lot, but that pins this event on something other than the kids' volition. This, in itself, is very dangerous.

A tragedy caused by bad decision making does not make it any less of a tragedy.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

where did you see/hear this?

FWIW

http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/02/07...ky-thrill-ride

Officially, Canada Olympic Park’s tracks are off-limits to all but athletes and people authorized to use the twisty course, with signs warning all others to keep off — but the reality is an ice track that’s been used for years by staff at the hill for all sorts of illicit slides.

“When you’re working there, shovel in hand, and you need to get from one spot to the other in a hurry, for a goof you slide on down,” said Tom, a former staff member at the hill, who asked that his real name be kept private.

“Of course, if you got caught, you’d be in big trouble, but there are lots of stories of guys doing this and that. It happened all the time, just guys at work farting around.”

[sun]

Originally Posted by peter12

Call me sympathetic but judgmental. I see the word "tragedy" being thrown around a lot, but that pins this event on something other than the kids' volition. This, in itself, is very dangerous.

WTF are you talking about? This isn't a tragedy?

Apologies to the friends and families of the deceased who are no doubt reading this thread, or will at some point. Not all of us are like some of the dummies you see here talking out of their rear ends.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

My uncle did the bobsled run years ago and I clearly remember a gate blocking the luge track at the time. I had no idea it also swung over to the bobsled track though, I just assumed it was opened if someone was going for a luge.

Also, I am curious who made the 911 call. After hearing of the horrific injuries I am amazed someone was able to pull out their phone.

I also wondered this, but didn't want to ask

[Minnie]

Six were injured, but not all were injured to the point they couldn't make a phone call. If I recall the initial news reports correctly, some of the injuries were considered minor. It was the scene that traumatized those with minor injuries. I would presume those with minor injuries called.

ETA a link/quote from the National Post that talks about the 6 who survived:

Three teens were taken to Foothills Hospital – one in critical condition, but later stabilized, and two in stable condition – with various soft-tissue injuries, said EMS spokesman Adam Loria.

The remaining three teens were taken to Rockyview General Hospital with minor injuries, Loria added.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I never claimed it made me so great -- just that there is a difference between "reckless" and "insane". Yeah you did some extreme snowboarding, so what? Did you go up to the top of the mountain and try and go down a tree-filled back country run with no safety equipment on your first day? Or did you try it when you were already an experienced, confident athlete that had some idea what they were doing and getting themselves into?

But it's pretty clear your post is 'the continuing adventures of Sliver pining for the past and trying to be cool like back in the day'. Yes, we all see all the cool things you did, and all know about how you're desperately holding on the good old days by partying in your weird garage with your other maladjusted high school friends. Anything we're missing?

You missed my point.

I don't think you have any business painting these kids with the brush you're using. A lot of people seek adventure. It's that personality trait that discovered the Americas, took us to the moon and basically pushed us out of our caves. I'm not saying I'm that guy - I toil away in an office all day, but I do taste it from time to time. I'm saying it's bred into humanity to push boundaries. If you never heard the call, that's fine, but I think you're being obtuse to not recognize its existence.

All that potential gone so quickly. Say that gate was pushed the other way, maybe they would have made it to the end safely and high-fived each other and had a fun story.

And since you brought it up, what else are we supposed to be collecting in life if not fun experiences and stories? What about anything I've ever said makes you think I pine for the good old days? I'm still in them fwiw. Am I supposed to just sit on my couch and read the paper now that I'm 39? Should I stop seeing my friends, too? Should I model for my kids a lifestyle of video games and TV? What's so lame about being active? Would you respect me more of I sold my skateboard on Kijiji and leased a BMW instead? Is that what respectable grown ups do?

These boys seem like the fun crew. They got absolutely ripped off that this happened and I see it as my personal mission to defend them from anybody that dismisses this like you have. And to be clear, I'm not defending or glorifying dangerous stunts; I'm advocating for some empathy and understanding on the very simple concept of what these guys were looking for: fun.

[Hockeyguy15]

Sliver it makes me laugh how you can say you like to be active, but yet you drive around in a rascal.

[jayswin]

Sliver's my favorite person I've never met. And ootc has always come off a little prudish and holier than thou, so that made sliver's responses even better.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

I also wondered this, but didn't want to ask

Danny Spalding flagged down security who called 911.

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/c...well-1.3439208

Some additional info about the survivors in that article.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Sliver it makes me laugh how you can say you like to be active, but yet you drive around in a rascal.

I just hate walking. It's too slow.

[CliffFletcher]

I can't imagine how horrific it must have been crawling around that frozen trough in the dark with the bodies of your buddies.

[peter12]

So obviously most people missed the point of my post. I was talking about responsibility. This wasn't a horrible accident, but an extremely risky activity. Furthermore, at least two of the guys knew enough to have an accurate assessment of the risk. Let's give credit where it is due. These boys weren't cattle that escaped through a hole in the fence.

But back to glory days.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by peter12

Furthermore, at least two of the guys knew enough to have an accurate assessment of the risk.

Completely untrue.
Unless you are suggesting that they headed down the track with full knowledge that the gate was there.